I am really worried about paying off loans. I almost feel as if I need to commit 100% to public interest now in hopes of a PI scholarship $/ new loan repayment/forgiveness policies or I'll be in debt forever.

gclemen1

I will join this club. I would like to be a prosecutor for some time, and eventually become a superior court judge. But biglaw might be a neccesary evil for a few years if the loans rack up too much :-(

GunnerDore

My ultimate best dream job ever would be to get hired by Arsenal as corporate counsel (or solicitor as they say across the pond), but that's a long shot and an English LL.M. degree away in all likelihood.

I'm hoping to get hired by a scientific research firm as an in-house IP lawyer, actually. Failing that, I'd probably work for the USPTO.

I am really worried about paying off loans. I almost feel as if I need to commit 100% to public interest now in hopes of a PI scholarship $/ new loan repayment/forgiveness policies or I'll be in debt forever.

Can someone please tell me a middle ground exists?

I'm slightly freaked about this too. I'll never qualify for LRAP programs, as the spouse's income is too high, and I'm sure that will effect need-based scholarships as well. Being saddled with $120K of debt at 47 (when spouse is 59) definitely doesn't hold much appeal either. So I figure if I don't get into Berkeley or Michigan next year, I'll reconsider going to a lower tier 1 school with $$$s.